[Lonely Raven]

re: Maelstrom 21" With 4 - 2100 Gram 18" Passive Radiators

Looks *very* solid!

 

[Lonely Raven]

Looks good! Looking forward to seeing this all come together!

 

[Lonely Raven]

Raven,

I read you were finishing yours up a few days ago. What did you build and do you got a pic?

My Maelstrom-X 21" Build Thread

I don't have "final" pictures of it yet. Once it's in place in the livingroom/theater, you really can't see anything interesting. I'll have to pull it out into the middle of the room, take a few photos, and push it back into place.

I'll probably be "finishing" it in truck bed liner, once I figure out what the most economical option is. I'd love to have a local shop spray it, but I can't find any that will take me seriously, or give me a good quote on it. They are too narrow minded to be open to spraying something that *isn't* a truck bed.

Plus measurements...I'm not even sure where my mixing board and Behringer mic is.

Your build makes me want to build a second one of these....or maybe an 18" LLT to compare side by side...but my budget wouldn't allow it. On the plus side, my fiance doesn't care what I put in the livingroom/theater, because she knows I have my own skewed, but decent sense of aesthetics.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Crafty way of installing that poly fill! I just threw pillows and a line of acoustic blanket in mine! LOL

As for getting down to 15Hz...well, I'm not sure if my measurements are correct, but I just updated my post. I've got some repositioning to do, but it looks pretty solid down to 5Hz. :bigsmile:

 

[Lonely Raven]

I'm only a half-step ahead of you, and yours is much cooler! I'm looking forward to seeing how yours plays out.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Hey if your's sounds great....who's to say mine is cooler....we are let's just say equals in satisfaction! :sn:

Mike

My thoughts exactly...but with passives, I find your build technically cooler. The only two cool factors I have are #1, I'm the first 21" build, and #2, I built everything on prime numbers...even my bracing are spaced in primes. :nerd:

 

[Lonely Raven]

Heh, primes. I build everything spaced to the Golden Ratio, and multiples thereof!

Very nice build, I'll be back every day now to see how it finishes.

I couldn't figure out exactly how to implement the Golden Ratio in my box, though the primes bring it close. I was even going to go as far as doing the "seashell spiral" as my bracing, just for grins...but seeing as how I was on a time limit (built over vacation) and sick, I sorta tossed all the fancy stuff out the window and just went with primes.

Mike, quit teasing with wimpy photos, lets see some nice big build progress!! :wave:

 

[Lonely Raven]

I know! I'm just funnin' ya!

I should talk, I've been too tired and busy to get real measurements from my system, and still haven't hauled it out to the middle of the living room for more photos.

But I did veg in front of the big screen and finally watched Rambo IV on Blu-Ray. I actually clipped my EP2500 on the mortar fire scene! The impact was impressive! Hell, even TV with the 21" has more impact.

 

[Lonely Raven]

I did mean 5hz, but as I said, my measurements are suspect till I figure out why they look so odd.

I'm going to tackle measurements again tonight since my movie night for this Friday was canceled. I've been in a rush to get more absorbers and diffusers built before this movie night, but now I can take my time and figure out my measurement issues. Again, 15Hz is no problem, even in my open floorplan.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Looking good, Mike!

I've finally gotten my act together and updated my thread with photos and measurements, and even a cheesy video for the excursion fanatics.

I'm betting that your box, even though smaller, and even without the weighted passives, is heavier then my completed box! Though I don't *see* any resonation in my larger side panels, I can physically see the box rock a few mm forward and back when the Maelstrom is going full tilt. It's a trade off for a box I could actually move on my own. I swear this box is lighter then my dual folded horn which was MDF with a pair of JL Audio 10"

I don't envy you're having to move those beasts, but I'm betting once in place they will be stunningly good!

 

[Lonely Raven]

I threw a table cloth over mine that blends in perfectly with the decor. It's now "finished" :heehee:

I was running an EP2500, bridged mono on mine, but the input from the HTPC was a little lower then usual, and I only have the volume on the the EP2500 at 1 o'clock. So I have some breathing room. The EP2500 doesn't test out as very efficient at 20Hz and below as well. I just can't afford a more robust amp at this time. This should do fine for now.

I totally understand the overbuilding...I usually overbuild so I'm not left wanting...but I also promised myself I wouldn't build a back-breaking box again since I might be moving it a bit, plus, I got the 3/4 plywood on sale...which helped me get the project done within budget (which was blown with the 21" driver over the 18" driver), and almost in the time frame I projected. If I had access to the materials you have, I would have considered overbuilt, if I didn't promise myself to keep the weight down.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Hahaha! Good one, Mike.

Careful with the sharp objects there!

I think this weekend is going to be family stuff and working on sound treatment. Enjoy your subs!

 

[Lonely Raven]

That looks fantastic, Mike! It looks like you really will be the first one "finished". And in record time too!

Edit: Peoria is only a few hours south of me. Maybe I'll run into your old Maels someday.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Wow! That's quite a deal!

 

[Lonely Raven]

Great work! It's good to see someone using laminate in the forums. I keep suggesting it to people who want a "piano black" finish, but nobody has taken up my suggestions so far. I've used it before on subs with great results, but I'm a bit rough on them (they tend to get moved a lot), and laminated corners don't last long with me. Otherwise I'd be seriously considering it for my M-21 as well.

I'm looking forward to seeing how you feel about them in action. I'm already wanting a second one in my setup, as I love how much air it pushes.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Sounds GREAT Mike. Your thoughts on it really pick up where mine left off. I can tell you all about movies and impact and dynamics, but your thoughts on upright bass is even more impressive! I couldn't think of anything in my collection that I could test that has bass like that...except maybe some Miles Davis now that I think about it.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Well said, Mike!

 

[Lonely Raven]

Looks fantastic Mike!

So, I'm guessing you have some issues with those large reflective surfaces at the front of the room...and I'm not seeing any room treatment in there. How do you deal with all that? I can barely stand it in my theater/living room and I've got a huge super-chunk with more absorption on the way.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Definitely well said, and thanks. :T
The bold part is exactly right. Teens get involved in skate boarding and a lot of other things, then get into drugs, and it all goes downhill from there. Its actually happened to two of my old best friends that were 13 and 16. Sad stuff.

I can say that I am enjoying my music more now, although my mom might not be, especially on slowed down songs lol. :bigsmile:
I try to keep the bass turned down for her, but my dad doesn't really care.


Are you by any chance going to get some vids of the passives and the sub playing some bass heavy songs, Mike? I've never really seen a video with passives bigger than a 10" IIRC. Nice mains also by the way. I bet they can crank out the sound.

Well I see who wears the pants in this household. :whistling:

 

[Lonely Raven]

Ahhh, crumbs. I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm teetering on that same abyss as well. For this month at least.